There continues to be encouraging reductions in closure areas. Remain cautious and aware of your surroundings while in the field, though! Today's update shows reductions in the Selway complex, but heed trail and road closures in those burned areas. Several private land areas are now open again as well.

To add layers of information to the advanced
map, click on it and go to the upper left corner and click on the "Turn Layers/On Off" menu. Check the boxes of the layers you want to add. Use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down to find "Wildfire & Closure Related
Layers."

Hunters and anglers: Here are the current Forest Service fire closure areas (As of 9/11/2015 07:30am
MT). This a basic map graphic that we will periodically update. It's intended to give people an easy
way to see if their hunting or fishing areas are blocked by fires or access closures. For the best available
information, browse to Inciweb.

Recent rainfall, higher humidity and generally lower temperatures have resulted in Potlatch removing the previously announced closure and campfire ban on its Idaho forestlands. Access is now allowed in accordance with company recreation policies.

The unprecedented closure of Potlatch land went into effect on July 14. The company reported that compliance with the closure was very high.

“We greatly appreciate the way in which the public honored our closure,” said Darin Ball, Idaho Region Manager. “It was gratifying to see our forest users play an important role in reducing risks during this fire season.”

Kamiah, ID - Due to widespread rainfall throughout many parts of northern and central Idaho, most local land management agencies will lift Fire Restrictions beginning at 12:01 a.m. on September 9, 2015.

The fire closures put into effect on 9/9 are not yet mapped.
We anticipate an update tonight and hope to have maps by 9/10 morning.

However, hunters should recognize the difference between fire restrictions and area closures. Fire restrictions refer to campfires, etc. Access closures are land closures in the vicinity of fires.

Visit http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com for current information regarding fire restrictions or contact the local land management office. Current restrictions will be lifted in all areas as described below:

Coeur d’Alene Fire Restrictions Area, All Zones:(see map for detail) All land located in Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, and Latah Counties.

Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, Zone 1 and 2: (see map for detail) All of Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Lewis Counties. Those portions of Idaho County that are north of the Salmon River (east of Riggins), west of Highway 95 (south of Riggins) and are not federal lands designated as wilderness, as well as that portion of Adams County that lies within the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Payette Fire Restrictions Area, Zone 4 ONLY: (see map for detail) All state, private, and BLM managed land (except that located within National Forest System boundaries) south of the main Salmon River to Smokey Boulder road.

Areas remaining in Stage II restrictions are described below:

Idaho Department of Fish and Game lands across the Clearwater Region

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is maintaining Stage II fire restrictions on IDFG lands across the Clearwater Region. This includes all Wildlife Management Areas, Lakes and Reservoirs, and fishing access areas owned or managed by IDFG across Latah, Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis, and Idaho counties.

Under Stage II fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on the restricted private, state and federally managed or protected lands, roads and trails:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails in accordance with existing travel management plans for non-commercial purposes including ATVs, UTVs, and pickups.

The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:(A patrol is required for one hour following cessation of all work as described in a, b and c below.)

Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting or any other activity employing the use of an internal combustion engine or off-road activity associated with industrial operations or fire wood gathering.

Blasting, welding, or other activities that generate flame or flammable material.

Using an explosive.

Exemptions

Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

Persons using a fire or stove fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.

Persons using stove fires with a chimney of at least five (5) feet in length and employing a spark arrester with a maximum mesh screen opening of ¼ inch on federal lands designated as the Frank Church River of No Return, Gospel Hump or Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Areas.

Persons using metal fire pans* (see definition) within ¼ mile of:

The Salmon River from the Corn Creek launch site to its mouth at the Snake River.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

The Selway River from the Paradise boat launch to Race creek.

*Pack-out of ashes is required.

Persons using a generator with an approved spark arrester on areas that are cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

Log loading and hauling only from landings and existing roads.

Private landowners using charcoal (disposed of properly) or propane barbecues on their own lands.

Normal operations on crop lands.

Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions in Stage II Exemptions for Public Utilities and Railroads, Appendix 10.

Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.

Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

Fall weather is in the air and it seems to be helping with fires. However, your vigilance is important as there is still plenty of fire danger! Today's map includes reductions to closures for the Tepee Springs Fire and Jay Point fire areas are reduced. The Lochsa South Complex fire closure has also lifted.

To add layers of information to the advanced map, click on it and go to the upper left corner and click on the "Turn Layers/On Off" menu. Check the boxes of the layers you want to add. Use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down to find "Wildfire & Closure Related Layers."

Hunters and anglers: Here are the current Forest Service fire closure areas (As of 9/8/2015 10:30am MT). This a basic map graphic that we will periodically update. It's intended to give people an easy way to see if their hunting or fishing areas are blocked by fires or access closures. For the best available information, browse to Inciweb.

Note: There are smaller fires around the state that may have local road and trail closures not shown here. Fire maps also do not reflect private lands closed as a precaution during high fire danger.

The fire located 20 miles northeast of Cascade, known as the Cougar Fire, is 100% contained. Assisted by much cooler temperatures and light precipitation in the area of the fire, efforts will focus on continued mop up, rehabilitation work, and monitoring the burned areas.

The area closure remains in effect. Be aware of potential hazardous conditions on forest roads. The Warm Lake Highway 22 is open, but the public is asked to drive slowly and use caution as fire vehicles may be using the road. Forest Road 474 (South Fork Salmon River Road) and Forest Road 409 (Clear Creek Road) are open.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for the Boise National Forest.Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire is prohibited except within an agency designated recreation site and only within an agency provided structure, Further information is available at: Boise National Forest web site, or at http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com/p/fire-restrictions.html

The USFS Nez Perce - Clearwater Forests have made significant openings to the forests. They were able to open up areas because of cooler, damper weather and good progress on those fires. However, we ask everyone to be extremely careful out there as fire activity may cause slowdowns. Always respect the closure boundaries for everyone's safety.

To add layers of information to the advanced map, click on it and go to the upper left corner and click on the “Turn Layers/On Off” menu. Check the boxes of the layers you want to add. Use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down to find "Wildfire & Closure Related Layers."

Hunters and anglers: Here are the current Forest Service fire closure areas (As of 9/3/2015 4:15pm MT). This a basic map graphic that we will periodically update. It's intended to give people an easy way to see if their hunting or fishing areas are blocked by fires or access closures. For the best available information, browse to Inciweb.

Note: There are smaller fires around the state that may have local road and trail closures not shown here. Fire maps also do not reflect private lands closed as a precaution during high fire danger.

Forty-five new ten to twelve year olds will be eligible to hunt this fall after attending the Youth Conservation Camp near Cascade, Idaho put on by Idaho’s Conservation Officers.

The week-long camp was launched in 2010 because Fish and Game officers noticed fewer kids spending time outside hunting and fishing. So the camp gives the officers an opportunity to share their passion for wildlife with the kids.

“It’s an absolutely positive experience. Not only for the kids, but for the officers,” said Barry Cummings, Conservation Officer for Fish and Game. “It’s very rewarding.”

The youths participated in several hands-on activities including firearm safety and shooting, wildlife conservation and identification, challenge courses, fishing, archery, and an introduction to trapping.

The camp gives the kids a chance to interact with the officers while also earning their hunter and bow hunter education certification.

To add layers of information to the advanced map, click on it and go to the upper left corner and click on the “Turn Layers/On Off” menu. Check the boxes of the layers you want to add. Use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down to find "Wildfire & Closure Related Layers."

Hunters and anglers: Here are the current Forest Service fire closure areas (As of 9/2/2015 8:45am MT). This a basic map graphic that we will periodically update. It's intended to give people an easy way to see if their hunting or fishing areas are blocked by fires or access closures. For the best available information, browse to Inciweb.

Note: There are smaller fires around the state that may have local road and trail closures not shown here. Fire maps also do not reflect private lands closed as a precaution during high fire danger.

It's a very dynamic situation out there still. We are seeing some relief where rain and cool temperatures are helping. For the most current information, keep up-to-date with Inciweb and the Idaho Fire Information Blog.

If you'd like to plan your hunt, however, we hope the maps below are useful.

To add layers of information to the advanced map, click on it and go to the upper left corner and click on the “Turn Layers/On Off” menu. Check the boxes of the layers you want to add. Use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down to find "Wildfire & Closure Related Layers."

Hunters and anglers: Here are the current Forest Service fire closure areas (As of 8/31/2015 12:30pm MT). This a basic map graphic that we will periodically update. It's intended to give people an easy way to see if their hunting or fishing areas are blocked by fires or access closures. For the best available information, browse to Inciweb.

Note: There are smaller fires around the state that may have local road and trail closures not shown here. Fire maps also do not reflect private lands closed as a precaution during high fire danger.